She was told she couldn’t lead. Now she coaches leaders.

In this powerful episode of the Hero Up Podcast, I sit down with leadership coach Monika Malan, founder of She Leads Boldly, to discuss how women can step into leadership with confidence, without burning out or compromising their values.

With over 18 years in corporate leadership, Monika has seen it all: imposter syndrome, gender bias, toxic cultures, and self-doubt. She’s lived it, led through it, and now she’s on a mission to help other women rise on their own terms.

In this conversation, we cover:
How to overcome self-doubt and find your voice as a female leader

• Why EQ is the secret edge in male-dominated industries
• The importance of aligning your career with your personal values
• Setting boundaries that protect your sanity and your team
• The impact of cycle-based leadership (yes, really)
• What to do when you’re working somewhere that doesn’t “get” you
• How parenting made her a better leader

Whether you're new to leadership or coaching others yourself, this episode is packed with insight, real talk, and practical wisdom.

Takeaways

• Mentorship is crucial for developing future leaders.
• Women often face unique challenges in leadership roles.
• Company culture significantly impacts leadership effectiveness.
• Aligning personal values with corporate values is essential for job satisfaction.
• Setting boundaries is vital to prevent burnout.
• Empowering others can enhance your own leadership skills.
• Imposter syndrome is a common struggle for many leaders.
• Parenting can teach valuable lessons about leadership.
• Women should support each other in their leadership journeys.
• Self-care is important for effective leadership.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background

04:13 Leadership Journey and Mentorship

06:37 Navigating Challenges in IT Leadership

09:09 Company Culture and Gender Dynamics

11:42 Difficult Decisions and Leadership Mistakes

13:39 Coaching Philosophy and Supporting Women

16:18 Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt

18:39 Aligning Values with Career Choices

21:23 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

24:00 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

36:49 Revolutionary Insights on Women's Health and Leadership

40:26 Setting Boundaries to Prevent Burnout

44:23 Balancing Career and Family Responsibilities

50:39 Lessons in Patience and Empowerment from Parenting

54:59 Navigating Corporate Values and Personal Integrity

59:27 Ideal Clients and the Ripple Effect of Coaching

01:01:16 Valuable Lessons from Mentees

01:05:22 Advice to My Younger Self

01:08:10 Being a Hero to Young Women

Want to connect with Monika?

Website: https://www.sheleadsboldly.com
Take her free quiz: https://www.sheleadsboldly.com/quiz
Follow Monika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikamalan

🔔 Like this episode?

Subscribe for more real conversations with everyday heroes

Leave a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway from Monika’s story

#SheLeadsBoldly #WomenInLeadership #LeadershipCoach
#ConfidenceForWomen #OvercomingSelfDoubt #FemaleEntrepreneur
#WorkingMoms #EmpoweredWomen #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #WomenInTech #HeroUpPodcast

Text Tony Stark!

Support the show

Thank you for listening! If you found value in this episode, please comment, like and subscribe depending what platform you're on. And if you have requests for guests, send me a message. - Tony Stark

In this episode of The Hero Up Podcast, Tony Stark Policci sits down with Jonathan Mast — founder of White Beard Strategies and one of the most value-driven voices in AI today.

They reveal 6 powerful (and under-the-radar) truths about how AI is transforming business, marketing, faith, and personal growth — without losing your soul, your voice, or your purpose.

✅ How to use AI as a tool to amplify your expertise (not replace it)
✅ The real ethical dilemmas that no one wants to admit
✅ The #1 mistake small businesses make when adopting AI
✅ Why faith, integrity, and failure still matter in the AI era
✅ A simple strategy to save 30+ minutes every day using AI
✅ How neurodivergent entrepreneurs can thrive with the right tools

Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, coach, or creator — this episode will challenge you to think bigger, go deeper, and use AI with purpose.

🔗 Connect with Jonathan: https://jonathanmast.com/linktree
🎙️ More Tony Stark: https://www.tonystark.vip/

Want to use AI to grow your business? 12 of the top connection, marketing and AI experts show you how in this self-paced AI Masterclass
https://aibusinessgrowthmasterclass.com/

Text Tony Stark!

Support the show

Thank you for listening! If you found value in this episode, please comment, like and subscribe depending what platform you're on. And if you have requests for guests, send me a message. - Tony Stark

In this powerful episode of Hero Up with Tony Stark Policci, I sit down with Katey McPherson, a nationally recognized advocate for youth mental health, TEDx speaker, and expert in internet safety. Katey has spent decades working with schools, parents, and law enforcement to protect children from the hidden dangers of technology, mental health struggles, and the rising threats to today’s youth.

Katey shares her journey from working as a school administrator to her role with B.A.R.K., an AI-powered app that helps keep kids safe online. We dive deep into the realities of parenting in the digital age, the misconceptions parents have about their children's mental health, and practical strategies to foster open communication, empathy, and presence in kids' lives. If you're a parent, educator, or just someone who cares about the well-being of young people, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable tips.

What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ The Illusion of "Not My Kid" – Why most parents are blind to what’s really happening in their children’s lives
✅ The Digital Wild West – How predators, explicit content, and peer pressure invade kids’ screens daily
✅ Why Kids Don’t Tell Their Parents the Truth – The breakdown of trust and what to do about it
✅ The "Five-Year Rule" – When and how to start critical conversations with your kids
✅ The Power of Connection – How to make sure your child feels seen, heard, and loved every single day
✅ Tech Solutions That Help Parents – How AI tools like B.A.R.K. are helping prevent tragedy
✅ The Role of Schools & Educators – What teachers are up against and how parents can step up

PLUS:

- How an app called B.A.R.K. helps protect kids from online dangers
- The biggest misconceptions parents have about their children's mental health
- Why technology is both a connector and an isolator for youth
- How to foster open communication and empathy with kids
- Practical tips for supporting youth mental health
- Why understanding brain development is key to effective parenting
- The importance of community involvement in raising resilient kids
- Overcoming barriers to accessing mental health resources
- Innovations in tech that support youth well-being

And a Shocking Truth: The average age of first exposure to pornography is eight years old, and sexting begins at eleven. If you think your child is safe just because you raised them right, think again.

Katie’s Game-Changing Parenting Hacks:

• The Central Charging Station Rule – A simple way to reclaim family time
• The ‘Mayor of Your 5-Mile Radius’ Mindset – How small actions create big change
• The "WIGGY" Method – A powerful way to actually hear your kid

If you’re a parent, educator, or anyone who cares about the well-being of today’s youth, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.

Connect with Katey:

• Tedx: How to Be the Mayor of Your 5-Mile Radius | Katey McPherson | TEDxGilbert
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kateymcph/about/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katey-mcpherson-04396a50
• Bark: https://www.bark.us/

Text Tony Stark!

Support the show

Thank you for listening! If you found value in this episode, please comment, like and subscribe depending what platform you're on. And if you have requests for guests, send me a message. - Tony Stark